What tourists should know about Malta
Malta is a very cultural diverse country. This is due to the country’s number of influences, the result of being conquered and ruled until the early 1960s (when the country got its independence). Because of this, many people are confused with what they know about Malta. What they know about Malta is a hodgepodge of facts, trivia, and myths. Besides these, however, very few people know anything about Malta. So while Malta is fast becoming a main tourist destination, especially for European tours and cruises. Therefore, when they reach Malta, tourists are caught surprised and ill-prepared to their limited knowledge about Malta.
Here are some important tidbits about Malta that will prove useful for tourists who plan to visit Malta or for anyone interested in the colorful life and diverse cultures of his rising Mediterranean country.
Basic information about Malta: Malta is a popular Mediterranean country situated north of Africa and south of Italy. An island country, Malta is composed of five islands: Malta, Comino, and Gozo being the main islands while Filfla and Cominotto are uninhabited. In a list published in the Demographic Yearbook, Malta is among the 50 smallest countries in its listing, accounting to not more than a 0.01 percent of the world’s total land area. Malta’s population is around 300,000, although this already makes the country already highly dense. What people mainly know about Malta are its Mediterranean features. Summers in Malta are extremely warm, while winters are also mild. The summer months of Malta are July and August. But while these months can be extremely hot, these are also the peak months of tourism in Malta, perhaps due to the abundance of festivals during these months.
Popular attractions in Malta: There are three things about Malta that attract visitors: its rich, dense history (which is still reflected within the country’s confines), the abundance of beaches and the several opportunities for water sports, and the numerous fiestas. For example, there are three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Malta, Valetta city, Hypogeum of Hal-Saflieni, and the Megalithic Temples. These major attractions are great sites for historical buff and just about anyone interested in history. Malta is also known for its pristine beaches such the Ramla il-Hamra in Gozo and the Ghajn Tuffieha just west of Malta. Ghain Tuffieha is popular because it is within close proximity to the country’s only nudist beach. The festivals, on the other hand, are mainly celebrated during summer (practically every weekend at different parts of the country), although the Valetta also celebrates a festival month during February.
What tourists will love about Malta: The Maltese, for one, speaks English, making communication very easy, although they also speak Italian due to Italy’s close proximity to the island country. Another great thing about Malta is the food. Because of the diverse cultures present in the country, food in this Mediterranean paradise is just as diverse. This means finding food of any origin is easy, although a number of restaurants offer authentic Maltese and Mediterranean food, such as the Sale e Pepe Trattoria in St. Julians and the Oleander Restaurant in Gozo. |
